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Some of the friends who were with Nolan Wells the day he disappeared are raising money for legal expenses, saying they have been subjected to threats, harassment and defamation as the investigation into the Mississippi teen's death continues.
A fundraising campaign, titled "STAND WITH NOLAN WELLS’ TARGETED FRIENDS," has been launched on GiveSendGo to benefit Warren Hudson, Jax Pitalo and Morgan Seymour. The fundraiser states that the money will be used to defend the teens against any potential lawsuits related to Wells' death and pursue legal action against those organizers say have "falsely and wrongly blamed" them.
The campaign was created by Dr. Benjamin Hudson, Warren Hudson's father.
"This is not about silencing legitimate discussion or respectful disagreement," Hudson wrote on the fundraiser page. "People are free to ask questions and express opinions. This is about drawing a line against defamation, targeted harassment, threats of violence, doxxing, intimidation, and coordinated campaigns that destroy lives before the facts are known."
The fundraiser says the three teens have faced death threats, harassment and online abuse since Wells' disappearance drew national attention. As of Tuesday morning (August 4), the campaign had raised over $100,000, and increased its goal from $100,000 to $200,000.
The case has been closely watched across the country, in part because Wells, who was Black, disappeared after spending the Fourth of July with a group of mostly white friends on Horn Island off Mississippi's Gulf Coast. His family has repeatedly called for a thorough and transparent investigation, saying they continue to have unanswered questions about what happened in the hours before his death.
A representative for Taylor and Cox Law Firm, which represents at least the Hudson family, confirmed to Rolling Stone that the fundraiser is legitimate.
The campaign comes as Wells' family continues pursuing its own independent investigation.
The Wells family has raised more than $800,000 through its own fundraiser to help finance an independent investigation into Nolan's death, including additional forensic testing and investigative work.
Wells disappeared July 4 after traveling to Horn Island with friends. Authorities have said the group returned to the mainland without him after reporting mechanical problems with their boat. His body was recovered two days later near the northwestern tip of the island.
Last week, officials confirmed the Mississippi State Medical Examiner's Office had completed Wells' official autopsy. The findings have not been released publicly and instead will be presented to a Jackson County grand jury alongside other evidence gathered during the investigation.
Meanwhile, civil rights attorney Ben Crump said his legal team continues working with forensic audio engineers to analyze the July 4 Sea Tow call, oceanic engineering experts to examine how Wells' body was recovered near the same area where he was last seen, and investigators reviewing additional evidence as they continue searching for answers.
The family's independent autopsy, performed by Dr. Roger A. Mitchell Jr., concluded that Wells' cause and manner of death were undetermined pending further investigation. Mitchell also said the available evidence was insufficient to rule out foul play.
The Wells family's legal team has also issued litigation hold notices to several individuals connected to the case, signaling that civil litigation may be forthcoming. However, no lawsuits have been filed, and no criminal charges have been announced in connection with Wells' death.
Mississippi officials have repeatedly urged the public not to interfere with the investigation.
Last week, Attorney General Lynn Fitch and other state officials said they were stepping up efforts to investigate and prosecute threats against public officials, witnesses and others connected to the case. Authorities have since arrested a California man accused of making online threats against Chancery Court Judge Ashlee Cole, whose son was among the group that traveled to Horn Island with Wells.
The circumstances surrounding Wells' death remain under investigation.
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